Thread: Favorite light jig throwing rod length

Wow! That’s a bit over my head. But like you say and I agree, lots of variables in play.

If I wasn’t sure what I would find when I got where I was going, I would take my 5’6” lightning rod ul with a President 20 and 2lb nanofil. I can put a jig anywhere I want with confidence. Light weight jigs down to a 1/64 are possible and it handles a 1/32 just fine. I also have a 6’6” TSS with 2 or 3lb Nanofil that does a very good job but the lightning rod casts further, making me think it’s 3lb. That has a Daiwa Regal LT 1000 with a bigger spool and a bunch of backing. I learned long ago to take some mono when I travel cuz the Nanofil just isn’t tough. Those would be my go to rigs, and sorry to be long winded.

This summer I decided to fish a lot with ultra lite rods throwing a Slider Fishing 1/16 oz. Charlie Bee and their 1 1/2 grubs on their weedless heads. I forced myself to take everything out of the boat but a couple of UL rods. I was spooled with 6 lb test. I had an absolute blast! You can't believe how a 18"-19" smallmouth in the river can bend a UL rod! I never lost a bass and caught tons of large sunfish, crappie, perch, rock bass, northern, and walleye. Normally I would use medium and medium light rods with 8lb. mono. I have become a fan of lighter mono and setting your drag to match.

That being said I bought a few new UL rods this season. My two favorites are a 13 Fishing UL Rely rod that says 6' 7" on it, but the part number on it RB2S6UL-2, indicates it is a 6' 2 piece. This summer there was not a lot to choose from at the local stores. I am not the biggest fan of 13 fishing and thought I was buying the 6' 7" rod. Got home and measured it and it was 6'. I was ticked off but said heck with it and took it fishing. I didn't expect much, but this rod was super and has become one of my favorites. It can cast a 1/32 oz jig a reasonable distance with no problems.

The next rod I picked up was a TFO (Temple Forks Outfitters) Trout/Panfish 6'6" UL. This rod is fantastic and comes with a lifetime warranty! This one also cast a 1/32 oz jig a pretty reasonable distance.

My opinion is that the rod can and will help with distance, but their really isn't that magic bullet rod that is going to blow everything away. I have a $30 cheap 7' UL from Dunhams that is a medium action at best and cast just as good as the above two rods and maybe slightly farther.